Yarn-changing mechanism



July 13 1926.

W. F. ROLSTON YARN CHANGING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 21, 1923 s Sheets-Sheet1 July 13 1926.

VV. F. ROLSTQN YARN CHANGING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 21. 1923 6Sheets-Sheet 2 I Vf/VTUH 5 July 13 1926.

W. F. ROLSTON YARN CHANGING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 21, 1923 a Sheets-Sheets A; HT 775 4 i: aI-IIII I III IIII I III I III I III! IIII III I II IIII IIEII II- I I-:I-:: ET

W. F. ROLSTON YARN CHANGING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 21, 1923 5 Sheets-$het4 July 13 1926. 7 1,592,046

w. F. RoLsToN r r 4 YARN CHANGING MECHANISM V I r Filed Dec. 21, 1923 .6sheeis-sheec 5 Fri-r5 July 13 1926. 1,592,046

w. F. ROLSTON YARN. CHANGING uuacmuusmv 77 Filed Dec. 21, 1925 6sheets-Sheet s Patented July 1%, i926.

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WALTER 'F. .ROLSTON, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNQR OF ONE-HALF 'lOWILLIAM E. 21003, OF EOCKFGRD, ILLINOIS.

YARN-CHANGING MECHANISM.

Application filed December 21, 1923.

This invention relates to straight knitting machines, and has moreparticular reference to yarn-changing mechanism therefor, of the typedisclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 616,601, to William NorthBurson, and to control mechanism therefor, of the type disclosed inUnited States Letters Patent No. 944,012, to Wilson W. Burson; and thepresent invention is an improvement on such type of mechanism.

One of the primary objects of my invention is to reduce friction andwear of the operating parts, and to increase the life and promotegreater accuracy in the operation of such parts; and further, to lowerthe cost of maintenance of this type of knitting machine in so far asthe mechanism is concerned. 1

l have also aimed to provide a novel yarn-changing mechanism, whereby agreater number of yarn changes may be made, thus enabling greatervariety in the design and make-up of knitted goods produced onstraight-knitting machines.

The manner in which these objects are accomplished will be readilyunderstood by those skilled in this art by reference to the followingdescription and drawings.

Likewise, other objects and attendant advantages will be appreciated asthe invention becomes better understood by reference to said descriptionand drawings, in which Figure 1 is an end elevation looking at thetransfer end of a straight-knitting ma chine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine, with certain parts brokenaway, in section, and others removed, with the view to showing only suchparts as are necessary for an understanding of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view partly in section, of the transfercontrol mechanism shown in Fig. 2.; the parts in section'beingsubstantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a plan View of the parts shown in Fig. 3

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially on the line55 of Fig.

Figs. 6 and? are fragmentary views showing different operated positionsof the transfer control switch, looking at the side opposite from thatshown in Fig. 3;

Figs. 8 and 9 are detail sections taken on the lines 88 and v99 of Fig.6;

Serial No. 681,989.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially on theline 1010 of Fig. 3; I

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view of the yarn-changing device as shown fromthe section 1111 in Fig.2;

Fig-l2 is a. section through the changing device taken on the line 1212of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is a diagram of a stocking, illustrating one example of yarnchanging with mechanism embodying my invention.

The knitting machine shown in the drawings to which my invention hasbeen applied for purpose of illustration merely, is'known in this art'as a Burson straight-knitting machine. These machines knit either fiator tubular fabric, and are especially adapted for producing fashionedarticles such as stockings, by bringing a greater or less number ofneedles into action; and different yarns are brought into action fromtime to time by means of the yarn-changing mechanism to vary thecharacter of the knitting as to material, weight, color, etc. Inasmuchas the present invention relates primarily to the yarn-changing ortransfer mechanism, only so much of the machine is shown in theabove-mentioned drawings as is necessary for an understanding ofltheinvention.

The parts well known to this art comprise a base or standard 15 and aframe 16 which carries opposed beds in turn supporting banks of needles,not shown, but which are adapted to be advanced and retractedin theknitting action by cam bar slides 17. The cam slides are adapted to bereciprocated by a cross-head 18, Fig. 2, which in turn may bereciprocated by any suitable mechanism, that shown, comprising a lever19 connected by means of a rod 21 to an endless chain 22 trained overdriving and idler sprocket wheels 23, the parallel upper and lowerreaches of the chains imparting uniform movement to the cross-headduring the forward and return strokes. This particular driving mechanismis, however, a departure from the usual construction and constitutes thesubject matter of a co-pending application. The sprocket wheel 23 is atpresent driven by means of a gear 24 meshing with a large spur gear 25,the latter of which is part of the yarn-changing mechanism, the

numeral 25 also denoting the gear body or yarn- V wheel which carriespart of said mecha nism, which will be presently described.

The gear 25 is adapted to be continuously driven when the machine is inoperation by a spur pinion 26 fixed to an initial drive shaft 27, inturn adapted to be driven by any suitable means, such for example as bya belt. Said gear 25 is fixed to a drive shaft 28 journaled on the framein bearings 29 and 31 on the frame and carries a mutilated worm 32 whichintermittently revolves a worm gear 33 connected by an intermediate spurpinion with a gear 3 on one of the pattern cylinders 35. Said gear 3smeshes with a corresponding gear 86 on the other pattern cylinder o7. Asis \Qll known in this art, one of the functions of the pattern cylindersis to control the number of needles in action, and consequently thesiape of the fabric. The mechanism just described for driving thepattern cylinders is disclosed in Patent No. 616,601, above mentioned.

Said patent also discloses the use of one or more yarn-carriers whichtraverse the needle beds in timed relation with the needle action forfeeding the yarn to the needles, the yarn-carrier in operation beingsupported (except when in the yarn-changing device) on stationary ways30 above the needles and being reciprocated by a bar 38, Fig. 2,connected to the cross-head 18 above mentioned. My inventioncontemplates the use of similar yarn-carriers, and likewise ayarn-changing or transfer mechanism at the home end of the yarn-carriermovement, as disclosed in said patent.

However, the present invention provides an improved yarn-changingmechanism both as regards the shiftable device for moving theyarn-carriers into and out of registration with the reciprocating bar 88and the mechanism for shifting said device. The yarn-changing devicewill first be described.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 11 and 12, it will beobserved that I have provided a yarn-changing or transfer carriagedesignated generally by 39, which is arcuate or segmental in shape asdistinguished from either circular or flat as previously known to thisart. The transfer carriage may be supported by suitable means to shiftback and forth in the arcuate plane in which it is disposed. At presentI have mounted the carriage on a supporting part 4:1 fixed to the frameof the machine and having a segmental guide 42 T-shape in cross-section,fitting in complemental ways in the carriage 39. Said carriage hasspaced throughout its length, a plurality, five in the present instance,of sets of ways 43 each for the reception of a yarn carrier as. The ways43 holding a yarn-carrier on the vertical center line of the machine,are in registration with stationary ways above the needles, so that eachtime a yarn-carrier is brought to the home end of its stroke by the bar38, it will leave said stationary ways and enter onto the ways 43. Thebar 38 has a head 45 as shown in Fig. 2, with opposed abutments $6 and47 for actuating the interposed upturned end 48 of a yarncarrier. Byreason of the space between the abutments it) and i7, there will be aninterval at the end of the stroke during which the carriage 39 may beshifted in either direction to position the next succeeding yarn-carrierin registration with the stationary yarn-carrier ways and to bring itsupturned end or lug atS between the abutments 46 and 47, so that whenthe bar 38 moves away from the transfer mechanism in its next stroke,the yarn-carrier thus positioned will be carried off its ways i3 andonto the stationary ways, into action. It will thus be apparent that byshifting the carriage S9 in a quick movement at the proper time, theyarn-carrier in the working position or station will be removedtherefrom and another substituted in its place, and that by successivemovements of the carriage each yarn-carrier may in turn be brought tosaid station and into operation.

Some of the advantages of this construction are that a greater number ofyarn-can. riers can be accommodated in a limited space, and that theyarns from the idle yarn-carriers are held in such angular relation asnot to cross or interfere one with another. W'ith the circular type ofyarnchanger only a limited number of yarncarriers may be used withoutinterference of yarn; and with the flat type the end yarn-carriers arecarried a considerable distance from the working position, which isobjectionable also because of yarn interference and to the length andangle of the yarns.

The mechanism for shifting the yarn changing or transfer carriage, willnow be described. In the pres nt embodiment of my invention, saidcarriage is shifted by mechanism operated by rotative movement of thegear or wheel 25. The operation of this mechanism is in turn controlledby suitable means, such as one or more transfer plates embodied in whatis known in this art a controller cylinder designated generally by 49.The operation of a controller cylinder of this type is disclosed inPatent No. 990,595, above mentioned: but such mechanism operable betweensuch controller cylinder and the yarn-changing device is objectionablefor reasons which will be presently pointed out. My present invention.provides an improved mechanism for operating a yarn-changing device atpredeten mined intervals, which will now be described.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 11, the transfer carriage 39 has a rack 51with which meshes 7 a spur gear 52 fixed to a shaft 53 which fercarriage 39 through the agency of the gearing connection between saidbar and carriage. Suitable means is provided such as a spring pressedplunger 58 in the bracket 56, for imposing friction on the bar 55,tending to reduce vibration and inertia thereof.

The translating bar '55 is equipped at its lower end with a series ofrollers 59 which may correspond in number with the sets of ways 43 onthe transfer carriage, although in the present instance I employ oneroller less than there are positions or ways for yarn-carriers andutilize a stop on the bar for determining the other position. Any one ofthese rollers is adapted to ride on the. periphery of an annular track61 fixed to the wheel 25, whereby the bar and connected parts are heldin a position determined by the particularrroller on the track. As bestshown in Fig. 3,. a portion of the track is pivotal, providing what Iterm a switch 62, pivoted at 63. Mechanism is provided as will bepresently described, for shifting this switch in a clockwise directionviewing Fig. 3, to provide a gap in the track and position its face 64:beyond the outer face of said track and in the path of the rollerthereabove, so that when the wheel 25 is revolved in a counter-clockwisedirection viewing said figure, the switch face 64 will engage saidroller and move it down through said gap to the underside of the track,thereby shifting the bar 55 downwardly a distance sufficient for movingthe'transfer carriage one position to the left, viewing Fig. 1.1. Andwhen said switch is shifted in the opposite direction to present itsouter face 65 beneath or within the internal face 66 of the track and inthe path of the roller positioned just beneath or at the inner side ofsaid face 66, said roller will be engaged by the switch face 65 at theproper time in I the rotation of the wheel Y25 and carried by said faceto the outer track face 61, thereby elevating the bar '55 one positionand correspondingly shifting the transfer carriage one position to theright, viewing Fig. 11. Thus, it will be seen that with the switch inthe full line position shown in Fig. 3, the wheel 25 may be continuouslyrevolved without disturbing the transfer carriage, and that uponshifting the switch 62 in either direction, the transfer carriage willbe correspondingly shifted one position upon each revolution of thewheel. The bar 55 1nay be shifted successively in either direction, itselevation being limited in opposite directions by stops 60 and 67, theformer of which bycontact with the underside of the hearing bracket 57limits the raising movement of said bar, and the latter, by contact withthe top of said bracket limits the lowering movement. The lattercontactis made when the uppermost roller is disposed beneath the tracksurface 66. The stop 67, therefore, is determinative as is each of therollers, of one position of theyarn-changing device.

The position of the switch 62 is controlled by mechanism which will bepresently described, so that shifting of the bar 55 is positivelydetermined and is never beyond the upper or lower limit mentioned.Suitable means is provided for holding the switch in any of its operatedpositions, comprising in the present instance, means "for imposingfriction between the switch and the wheel 25. Referring to Fig. 9., thisis done by a spring '68 carried by a pin 69 fixed to the switch 62 anddisposed in an arcuate slot 71 in the wheel, the function being obvious.

The means for shifting the switch, best shown inFigs. 3., 6 and 7,comprises a shiftable cam 72 pivoted at 73 on a stationary bracket 74which carries the bearing portion 57 above mentioned, in conjunctionwith a stationary cam throat designated generally by 7 5. formed"integral with the bracket is. Said pivoted and stationary cam parts 72and 75 respectively, are located in the path of a laterally projectinglug or "pin 76 on the switch 62, for the purpose ofactuat ing said pin,and in close proximity to the bar 55 for actuating said pin andconsequently shifting the switch just before the latter reaches the bar.The shiftable cam 72 has an accurate groove 77 intersecting the plane ofits pivot pin 7 3.; and this pivot pin 78 as well as the pivot 63 of theswitch are located the same radial distance from the shaft 28. The camgroove 77 being struck on an arc of 'the same radius and the switch pin76 being on said radius when in the normal position shown in Fig. 3, itwill ride idly through the cam groove 77 during continued rotation ofthe wheel 25 until the positionof the cam 72 is changed. The cam throat75 has a relatively wide mouth defined by opposedsurfaces 78 and 79which converge to a narrow opening 81 in registration with the camgroove 77 in its normal position. By lowering the outer end of the cam72 to the position shown in Fig. 7, its top surface 82 will be broughtinto regist-ration with the opening 81, so that the next time the switchpin 76 comes around it i will ride on said surface 82 and be raisedthereby to bring the switch face 6% into action for lowering the bar .55one position as described abote. Upon shifting the cam 72 in theopposite direction for bringing its surface 83 into registration withthe opening 81. the switch pin 76 will be actuated by said surface 88,causing the switch surface to be brought into action for raising thetranslating bar 55 one position. After each actuation of the switch 62in this manner, its pin 76 will upon being carried around to thestationary cam throat 75, strike either the cam face 78 or T 9 as thecase may be. and be returned thereby to the neutral p0: tron defined bythe cam groove 81 in the desired operative relation to the shiftable cam72. Thus, the resistance to returning the switch to its neutral positionis absorbed by the stationary throat cam. The resistance to shifting theswitch is also absorbed by stationary parts in the form of stops Sat and85 fixed to the bracket 7%. which stops provide stationary support forthe shiftable cam 7 It will be apparent that in either shifted positionof the cam. it is supported at opposite ends (so t iar as resistance toshifting the switch is concerned) by its pivot pin 73 and either one ofthe stops 8 k or 85. As a consequence of the foregoing construction, theshock from shifting the switch and likewise the translating bar 55 is inno way felt in the mechanism beyond the shiftable cam 72. This is ofimportance, since in prior constructions this shock was carried throughthe switchoperating mechanism back to the transfer or control plate,thereby causing excessive wear on these parts, especially the joints. Asa result. prior constructions were compara-tively short lived and alsocaused undue wear on the transfer plates to such an eX- tent as toimpair accuracy of control. Phe present construction overcomes theseobjections, as will be apparent.

The mechanism for shifting the switch operating cam 72 will now bedescribed. reference being had more particularly to Figs. 3, 1-. 5 and10. It is desired to shift the cam 7 to either the neutral, up or downposition and to hold it in either of said positions d ring one or morecourses of knitting. This is done by one or more cam plates, betterknown in the art as transfer plates, on the controller cylinder 49, andmeans operated by a transfer platev for causing the cam 72 to beshifted. it will be observed, Fig. 10, that the transfer plate 86 hashigh, low, and intermediate faces 8?, 88 and 89, respectively. cut inits periphery, and that av lever 91, which rides on said faces, isadapted to be moved thereby for in turn moving a train of connectionsfor translating the lever move mentto the cam T2. in practice, there maybe a eries of levers 91 operated respectively by different transferplates at different intervals for shitting said cam 72. At present, fourlevers 91 are shown, pivotally mounted top of the lovers 91 andpivotally mounted on a rod 94 parallel with the rod 92, has :1 lug 95disposed beneath a complemental lug or linger fixed to a rock sha 9?.which in turn connected by means of a link 98 to 72. The connectionbetween said and the cam is at present through the of a member 09parallel with and poside of the bracket Tl opl cam and connected at onee pact pin 7 of the cam and at opposite end to a pin lOi reaching 'h anarcuate opening in bracket and being fixed to the c in. )1 contractilespring 10:? connected between a iliiflll point and the member 39 tendsto urge the cam operating connection in a direction to hold the cros-hcad down against the levers 91, and to return said levers, andlikewise the cam 72, to the lowermost posiion. it will he manifest thatby rotative stcp-hy-step movement of the transfer plate 86 in acounten-clockwise direction viewing Fiat 10, the lever 91 will belowered to the surface 58. then raised successively to the surface-; 89and 8. and then lowered. ctc., according to the shape of the transferplate, thus ccrresponcinglv shifting the rain and shifting the tr' tercarriage for the purpose of changing yarn-carriers as alrcady described.

The transfer plate or plates as the case may be, will be operated tochange yarncarricrs at predetermined times and in timed relation withthe knitting operation, at present by means of ratchet or countingplates 100, as explained in said Patent I-To. 990,595. One or more pawls103 are cmployed for imparting step-by-step movement to the countingplates, the pawls being reciprocated by means of a lever 101 from a cam105 on the drive shaft- Thus, the transfer plates forming part of thecontroller cylinder are operated in timed relation with the patterncylinders.

From the foregoing, it will be manifest that there are as many rollersor the equivalent on the translating bar as sets of ways on the transfercarriage or pos' 'ms thereof, that there is but a saigle part and switchfor guiding and shifting the rollers and consequently the transfercarriage. that the means for shifting the switch includes a stationaryand a movable cam element. that the switch-shifting means is soconstructed as to absorb the resistance to the shifting of the switchand of the tranr-zlatin; bar. and thatthere is no back pressure ormotion translated from the switch shifting means, or from the switch orparts operated thereby to the transfer plates or means which control theoperation of these parts. Consequently, these parts are subjected to stioned on I the upper portion.

only ordinary wear, and in view of their construction are very durableand relatively long lived; and this construction insures greateraccuracy and precision in shifting the yarn-changing carriage.Furthermore, this construction enables the practical use of a largernumber of yarn-carriers than is possible with prior constructions ofthis general type, especially such as that disclosed in Patent No.616,601, in which there are as inany grooves or tracks in the face ofthe wheel 0 rresponding to the wheel 25 in the present case, as it isdesired to have movements in the transfer device, and in which the angleof the respective switches becomes more acute as they approach thecenter so that the action is not uniform for all switches and the numberof switches is limited. In order to permit selective and quick shiftingof the transfer carriage when setting up or testing the machine, or forany other reason, ere is formed in the track an opening 114 Fig. 3)diametrically opposite from the witch. This openin permits the rollersto pass through the track only when the latter is at rest.

As a further illustration. of the advantages of my invention, 1 willexplain the manner in which the four different yarns are used inknittinga fashioned, seamless stocking, reference being had moreparticularly to 11 and 13. The yarn-carriers employed in this operationare designated by nnmbers1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively, these being heldin the transfer carriage in the order shown. It is necessary to have oneblank space on the transfer carriage in order to permit of reciprocationof the bar 38 without a yarn-carrier. Assuming that the No. 1yarn-carrier is at the working station (which is occupied in Fig. 11 bythe No. 2 yarn-carrier) this will be put into opera tion for knittingthe toe from the point 106 to 107. The yarn carried by the No. 1yarncarrier is usually of a heavy grade and more durable than that usedfor the upper portion of the stocking. In knitting the top and bottom ofthe foot portion between the points 107 and 108, the No. 1 and No. 2yarn-carriers will be used alternately as is well understood in thisart. The NO. 2 yarn, that is, the yarn carried by the No. :2yarnc-arrier is of a different gradeor quality from the No. 1 yarn, andin the knitting of a silk stocking, would be the silk used for knit withthe No. 1 yarn between the points 109 and 111. Following this, the No. 3yarn-carrier will be brought into action alternately with the No. 2yarn-carried for knitting the portion of the stocking known the highsplice up to the point 112. The No. 8 yarn is approximately of the. sameweight as the No. 1 yarn, but has an admixture of silk so. as to modifyin'appear- The heel will next be able length, as for example to thepoint 113,

when the No. 4 yarn-carrier is brought into action. This yarn-carrier isgenerally for cotton yarn and knits what is known as a-- garter or boottop, which likewise may be widened or fashioned in the knitting. It iscustomary to finish the stocking by one round of the No. 3 yarn, one ofthe No. 2 and one of the; No. 1 yarns. Finally the blank position of thetransfer carriage is shifted to the working station in order to permitthe stocking to be shed from the needles. The yarn changes in thisparticular example are all controlled by one or more transfer plates andobviously innumerable variations are afforded by a transfer control ofthis kind, in conjunction with a transfer mechanism adapted for handlingat least three or more yarn carriers.

it is believed that the foregoing conveys a clear understanding of theobjects prefaced above; and while I have illustrated but a singleworking embodiment, it should be understood that equivalent parts andcleices might be employed and many changes be made in the, constructionand arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as. expressed in the appended claims, in which- T'claim:

1. In a straight knitting machine, in combination, a yarnechangingdevice having a plurality of yarn-carriers, and mechanism for operatingsaid device to move any yarncarrier into an operative position,including a rotary member having a single track and a shiftable switchtherein, and means for translating movement to said device for changingthe position of the yarn-carriers, said means having a series of rollersindicative of the different yarn-carriers and adapted to be respectivelybrought into position on the track for determining the op-- erativeposition of its respective yarn-carriers, said switch being shiftable toprovide a gap in the track for roller passage when changing the positionof the yarn-carriers 2. In a straight knitting machine, in combination,a yarn-changing device having a plurality of yarn-carriers, andmechanism for operating said device to move any yarncarrier into anoperative position, including a rotary member having a single track anda shiftable switch therein, and means for translating movement to saiddevice for changing the position of the: yarn-carriers, said meanshaving a series of rollers indicative of the different yarn-carriers andadapted to be respectively brought into position on the track fordetermining the operative position of its respective yarn-carriers, saidswitch being shiftable to provide a gap in the track for roller passage,and said switcn being operable to shift said roller-carrying means ineither direction for changing the position of the yarn-carriers.

3. In a straight knitting machine, in combination with the stationaryyarncarrier ways, of a yarn-changing device comprising a segmentaltransfer carriage having four or more sets of yarn-carrier ways locatedside by side in an arc of relatively large radius and adapted to beshifted back and forth in said are to move the respective sets of waysinto and out of registration with said stationary ways, a

.gear segment on said carriage concentric with the center about which itis movable, a gear meshing with said gear segment, and means forimparting rotative movement to said gear for moving the transfercarriage back and forth.

at. In a stationary knitting machine, in combination with the stationaryyarn-carrier ways, of a yarn-changing device comprising a segmentaltransfer carriage having plural sets of yarn-carrier ways located sideby side in an arc of relatively large radius, a support having ways onwhich said carriage is adapted to be shifted back and forth in saidarcto move the respective sets of ways into and out of registration withsaid stationary ways, the mounting for the transfer carriage being atits side remote from the center about which it is movable. a. segmentalgear on the transfer carriage, and means for shifting said transfercarriage back and forth including a gear meshing with said segmentalgear.

5. In a straight knitting machine, a yarnchanging device comprising atransfer carriage, a plurality of sets of yarn-carrier ways on thecarriage spaced apart in an arc, the radius of which is greater thanhalf of the overall arcuate length of said ways on the carriage, andmeans supporting the carriage so that it is movable in said are forpositioning the sets of yarn-carrier ways respectively at a workingstation.

6. In a straight knitting machine, a yarnchanging device comprising asegmental t-ansfer carriage for carrying a plurality of yarn-carriersspaced apart in arcuate relation and mounted for movement in an arccoincident therewith, the radius of which are is of such length that ateither extreme position of. the carriage the yarn of the uppermostyarn-carrier will not interfere with those below.

7. In a straight knitting machine, in comhination with the stationaryways. of a yarnchanging device having a segmental transfer carriageequipped with plural sets of yarncarrier ways located side by side in anarc of relatively large radius and adapted to be shifted back and forthin said are to move the respective sets of ways into and out ofregistration with said stationary ways, a segmental gear on saidtransfer carriage, a pair of concentric gears of relatively large andsmall diameter, respectively, the larger of whichmeshes with saidsegmental gear. a translating bar having a rack meshing with the smallergear, and a control mechr for imparting comparatively short movement tosaid translating bar for shifting the yarn-carrier ways into and out ofoperative position. I I N 8 In a straight knitting machine, incombination with the stationary ways of a yarnchanging device havingways for plural yarn-carriers each adapted to be moved into and out ofregistration with the stationary ways, a wheel adapted to becontinuously rotated and having on one side a single traclga portion ofwhich is in the form of a switch pivoted on an axis parallel with theaxis of rotation of the wheel and adapted to be shifted outwardly andinwardly from a neutral position in registration with the track properand leaving in either shifted position a gap through the track. atranslae ing bar connected with the yarn-elm giug device and equippedwith a pluralit i rollers in spaced relation each indicative of ways fora single yarn-carrier, said translating bar being so disposed that anyone of its rollers may ride on the periphery of the track, and saidswitch being adapted to engage a roller either at the outer or innerside of the track and move it through the gap for shifting thetranslating bar in either direction.

9. In a straight knitting machine, the 301th bination of a yarn-changingdevice, a gea:- wheel adapted to be continuously rotate- 1 and having asingle track, a portion of whi is in the form of a switch pivoted on ana. parallel with its axis of rotation, whcrcoy the switch is adapted toshift outwardly and inwardly from a neutral position in registrationwith the track proper, a translati J bar radially disposed with respectto the wheel and connected with the yarn-- -luuuri11g device, and aplurality of rollers on said bar in spaced relation indicative ofdifferent pos tions of the yarn-changing device and adapted to berespectively brought into guiding contact with said track bythc act'onof said switch.

10. In a straight knitting machine, the combination of a yarn-changingdevice. a gear wheel adapted to be continuously rotated and having asingle track, a portion of which is in the form of a switch pivoted onan axis parallel with its axis of rotation, whereby the switch isadapted to shift outwardly and inwardly from a neutral posicombinationof a yarn-changing device, a wheel adapted to be continuously rotatedand having at one side a track including a switch which is pivoted on anaxis parallel with the axis of rotation of the wheel and is adapted tobe swung outwardly and inwardly to provide a gap in the track and topresent outer and inner surfaces of the switch in positions to effectchanges in the yarn-changing device, and a translating bar disposed inradial relation to said wheel and equipped with a plurality of spacedrollers each indicative of a position of the yarnchanging device andadapted to ride one at a time on the periphery of said track and to beshifted outwardly or inwardly with re spect to said track surface by theaction of said switch for changing the position of the yarn-changingdevice.

19. In a straight knitting machine, the combination of a yarn-changingdevice, and mechanism for shifting said device comprising a wheeladapted to be continuously to tated and having a single track a portionor which is in the form oi a switch pivoted on an axis parallel with theaxis of rotation of the wheel and adapted to be swung outwardly andinwardly to provide a gap in the track when so moved, a reciprocabletranslating bar equipped with a series of rollers each indicative of anoperative nosition of the yarn-changing device and adapted to ride oneat a time on the periphery of said track, and means for shifting saidtrack outwardly or inwardly, said track being so shaped that in itsouter position it will engage the roller on the periphery of the trackand move it inwardly through said gap to thereby move the translatingbar in one direction and in its inner position will engage the roller atthe inner sine of the til-ck and move it outwardly through said. gap.

20. In a straight knitting machine, the combination of a yarn-changingoevice, and mechanism for shifting said device comprising a wheeladapted to be continuously rotated and having a single track a portionof which is in the form of switch pivoted 011 an axis parallel with theaxis of rotation of the wheel and adapted to be swung ontwardly andinwardly to provide a gap in the track when so moved, a reciprocabletranslating bar equipped with a series of rollers ccch indicative of anoperative position of the yarn-changing device and adapted to ride oneat a time on the periphery oi said track means for shifting said trackoutwardly or inwardly, said track being so shaped that iif its outerposition it will engage the roller on the periphery of the track andmove it inwardly through said gap to thereby move the translating bar inone direction and in its inner position will engage the roller at theinner side of the track and move it outwardly through said gap, andmeans for controlling the position of said switch so that itmayintermittently but successively advance the translating bar instep-by-step movements.

21. In a knitting machine, the combination of a yarn-changing device, awheel adapted to be continuously rotated and equipped at one side with atrack a portion of which is pivoted on an axis parallel with the axis ofrotation of the wheel to provide a switch adapted to be swung outwardlyand inwardly, the switch leaving a gap in the track when swung to eitherof said positions, means connected to said yarn-changing device having aroller for each position thereof, the operative position of theyarn-changing device being determined by the roller in position on theperiphery of the track and adapted to be changed by shifting of theswitch which when moved outwardly engages said roller and moves itinwardly through the gap and when moved inwardly engages the roller atthe inner side of the track and moves it outwardly through the gap,whereby the single switch is adapted to successively move said means ineither direction.

22. In a knitting machine, the combination of a yarn-changing device, awheel adapted to be continuously rotated and equipped at one side with atrack a portion of which is pivoted on an axis parallel with the axis ofrotation of the wheel to provide a switch adapted to be swung outwardlyand inwardly, the switch leaving a gap in the track when swung to eitherof said positions, means connected to said yarn-changing device having aroller for each position thereof, the operative position of theyarn-changing device being determined by the roller in position on theperiphery of the track and adapted to be changed by shifting of theswitch which when moved outwardly engages said roller and moves itinwardly through the gap and when moved inwardly engages the roller atthe inner side of the track and moves it outwardly through the gap,whereby the single switch is adapted to successively move said means ineither direction, a shiftable cam for controlling the position of saidswitch, control mechanism for shifting said cam, the connection betweensaid control mechanism and cam moving in the same plane as the cammovement, and stops against which said cam is adapted to abut in itsoperative position for resisting the impact from shifting the switch,whereby said impact is not transmitted to the control mechanism.

23. In a knitting machine, the coinliiination of a yarn-changing device,a wheel adapted to be continuously rotated and equipped at one side witha track a portion of which is pivoted on an axis parallel with the axisof rotation of the wheel to provide a switch adapted to be swungoutwardly and inwardly, the switch leaving a gap in the track when swungto either of said. positions, means connected to said yarn-changingclevice having a roller for each position thereof, the operativeposition of the yarn-changing device being determined by the roller inposition on the periphery of the track and adapted to be changed byshifting of the switch which when moved outwardly engages said rollerand moves it inwardly through the gap and whenmoved inwardly engages theroller at the inner side of the track and moves it outwardly through thegap, whereby the single switch is adapted to successively move saidmeans in either direc tion, said switch having a projection, astationary cam against which said projection is adapted to.contact forreturning the 20 switch to a neutral position after each rotation of thewheel, a cam movable to any of three positions, namely, a neutral, anouter and an inner position, respectively, and being interposed in thepath of said projection so as to receive it from said neutral positionand to control the subsequent position of the switch.

WALTER F. ROLSTON.

